Sunday, August 28, 2011

I'm very glad I had the chance to review It Couldn't Just Happen, by Lawrence Richards. It's a topic I am highly interested in, and therefore was a book right up my alley so to speak.

Overall, this is a book I plan on keeping on my shelf, and I do recommend adding it to yours as well.

I was happy to see the format of the book was geared toward kids/youth, with lots of pictures and easy-to-read font. Mr. Richards does a great job of explaining scientific things in an understandable way without sounding silly or childish. It reminds me a lot of the science text books I used in school.

I especially liked the beginning chapters of the book. The author addresses many of the common hypothesis mentioned in today's science books (well, on that I must mention that I'd like to research that myself by actually looking into an elementary science book). I really appreciated the way he didn't take issue of calling scientists with different beliefs "ignorant" or use any of the all-to-common "slams" against the "other-side." I was able to read along with him objectively on each issue without feeling he was leading me toward a bias.

At the end of each chapter he adds extra projects, research questions, activities you can do with your kids that go along with each topic. It must be personality, because some I thought very appropiate, and some very un-interesting.

Near the end of the book, he does get into theology more than I expected, as in, he devotes a whole chapter to the fufillment of prophecy by Christ. It's about 4 chapters in the end it's only about the Bible and Christ, and not so much on science stuff. It's interesting, but I would've been fine without it in the book because I find it a whole different topic of study.

So all in all, I give the first half of the book a 5 star rating, but the second half of the book a 3.5 rating.

If you'd like to read a copy of this book, you can buy it on Amazon.com or CBD.com (or get it from your local library possibly)

Friday, August 19, 2011

As I prepared to meet new students last night, I was reminded that I'm not always in control....that things don't always go smoothly....that I can't always have the perfect things to say.

I was reminded that seasons come and go, as do people, as do opportunities. I need to remember grace, and trust, and practice peace and patience.

I can't always be wishing for things to have gone differently, or waiting for just the right moment, because God works in the everyday. And everyday He's reminding me to lean on Him.

Perhaps my words are just a maze, and don't make heads or tails, but all I can say is I'm so thankful this morning for the way things went yesterday, and the day before, and the last week...

As I learn discernment.....that not all that goes in my head needs to be said aloud. I'm thankful for little ears that listen, which remind me that God is still working on me and my thoughts are not always His thoughts to say out loud.

As I learn patience....that even when schedules up-heave, and rice turns sticky, and laundry buzzes and mail calls and friends drop by, that every event is a gift and a moment to savor.

As I learn trust....that even in all that upheaval, when I wish and wonder if I did the right thing or spent enough time or made someone realize I was really glad they were there, that I might never know the answer but I'll have to trust I did my best and let go and live on and look forward.

As I learn discipline....that things go smoother with a little planning, that I can make myself do the un-fun so there's time for the fun without dissapointing others or myself, and that there's always room for a shorter to-do-list.

As I learn wonder....that just when I'm thinking of someone, and how or when I will find time to meet them, they call, or email, or stop by. And then I know there is Someone else helping me, and knowing who He wants me to meet that day, and I just have to be available.

And so, as summer sunshine laspses into the crispness of fall, I'm thankful. And relaxed. And hoping to spend as much time listening as possible.

A couple weeks ago my cousins were up visiting. I was able to go over and spend some fun time with them. Before they left, I wanted to make them something, so sat down and made these shirt one morning. They are very simple, but oh so fun!

I got the shirt actually at the dollar store. Then, pulled out my scribble paints, paper, and paintbrush. I drew some stencils on paper, cut them out and laid them on the shirts. This sword idea I looked up online.

Then I blopped some paint on a plate, daubed my brush in, and daubed it on the shirt.

Each shirt was unique and fit the kid's personality well I thought. Thankfully, the shirts fit too! :)

After painting, I set them in front of a fan for a "quick dry." All we had to do was iron them once dry to set the paint.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Oh what fun we have had the last couple days! (Not that every day isn't fun....)

I had the opportunity to go camping with this fun family:

We drove up the North Shore to Eckberg State Forest (everything else was full), found a nice piney campsite right on the river, and settled in for a couple days.

We hiked up the river (no, not the riverbank...the actual river) on Tuesday morning and that was quite an adventure hauling a 25 pound baby on my back :) But the river was shallow, and I only went in a couple times, and then, only one foot ;)

We went (well, the kids went) wading in this little bay while we sat on the warm rocks and rested. (What?! Yes....rested.....I needed it after walking down and up steps with said heavy baby. I'm not as in shape as I might give myself credit for, ha!)

And we napped at camp, ate popcorn and string cheese, watermelon and crackers. We watched the campfire smoke (oh yes, we are professional campfire-smoke-starters), practiced crochet, and listened to the little stream burble behind our site.

I wasn't sure how Little Girl would do camping, but it was a fine experience, thanks to the help of 4 extra babysitters! The highlight for the littlest sitters was pushing the stroller (with or without Sunita in) and taking turns holding her on their lap. She savored every bit of attention I'm sure.

So thanks, Martha, for a fun time and for your efficient care of us all!

Now I'm off to do laundry, fold tents, and re-stock my camp kitchen with things I neglectfully left behind so we're ready for "next time!"

Friday, August 12, 2011

I feel like I've been initiated into the true rank of parents. I have, officially, "walked the floor" with a crying child late into the night. Poor kid. (Poor mom and dad too)

I'm hoping it was just an earache....just because I want a reason why she cried all night. Not that I want her to be sick, but this "guessing game" is not particularly my cup of tea.

Of course, if you read about the symptoms, it could be anything from teething, to allergies, to growing pains. Honestly. How is a new parent supposed to know! ha

And that's why I'm so glad I believe in God. I'm so thankful that even when I don't have answers, I know there is Someone all knowing, and all powerful, who is caring and watching over Sunita no matter what happens. And I can do my best and leave the rest up to Him.

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"If you want to build a ship don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."Antoine-Marie-Roger de Saint-Exupery